Saturday, February 02, 2008

Eyes on Google, Microsoft Bids $44 Billion for Yahoo - New York Times

In some respects, MSFT/YHOO is reminiscent of ORCL/BEAS -- it's unlikely another bidder will appear, and, while it may take months to close the deal, it's widely considered to be a sensible combination.

Analysts say few companies, other than Google, would have the resources to compete with Microsoft’s bid. On Friday, Yahoo’s bankers — Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers — were canvassing behind the scenes for other suitors, putting out feelers to the likes of News Corporation, AT&T and others.

And Google is not likely to enter the fray because of probable antitrust objections. A Google spokesman said Friday that it would be “premature to comment.”

Another quote from the NYT article:

If consummated, the deal would instantly redraw the competitive landscape on the Internet. And it would escalate the rivalry between Microsoft and Google, already the most intense high-stakes battle in the technology world, over who will dominate the booming online advertising business.

My $.02: MSFT/GOOG may be the most widely publicized technology rivalry today, but I think the Microsoft/Oracle competitive landscape is ultimately the most important software (e.g., not advertising) battle for the next decade.

Eyes on Google, Microsoft Bids $44 Billion for Yahoo - New York Times

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

A deal between Yahoo and Microsoft could work if Yahoo takes over MS, not the reverse. They are culturally too distant apart and the MS culture will not make it.

Anonymous said...

A deal between Yahoo and Microsoft could work if Yahoo takes over MS, not the reverse. They are culturally too distant apart and the MS culture will not make it.